Passage du Grand-Cerf, Historic covered passage in Bonne-Nouvelle district, Paris, France
The passage stretches 117 meters long and 3 meters wide, featuring a soaring 12-meter glass ceiling supported by iron framework throughout its length.
Built in 1825 on the former site of Hotel du Grand Cerf, this commercial gallery emerged during the rise of retail culture in nineteenth-century Paris.
The passage houses independent boutiques, artisan workshops, and fashion retailers, reflecting the traditional French appreciation for craftsmanship and design.
Located between Rue Saint-Denis and Rue Dussoubs in the 2nd arrondissement, the passage is accessible through the Etienne Marcel metro station.
The entrance displays a wooden stag head, while shop facades incorporate various animal designs including crabs, elephants, and dragonflies.
Location: 2nd arrondissement of Paris
Location: Bonne-Nouvelle
Inception: 1825
Length: 117 m
Width: 3 m
Shares border with: place Goldoni, rue Dussoubs, rue Saint-Denis, rue Marie-Stuart
GPS coordinates: 48.86481,2.34925
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:41
The covered passages of Paris are major commercial inventions from the early 19th century. Built between 1798 and 1850, these galleries shield pedestrians from weather and street mud with glass and wrought iron roofs. Passages like the Passage des Panoramas, opened in 1799, were pioneers with gas lighting, while Galerie Vivienne (1823) features mosaic floors and neoclassical decorations. The Passage du Grand-Cerf stands out with a height of 12 meters under its glass roof. Today, around thirty passages remain in the 2nd, 9th, and 10th arrondissements. They host various shops: antique bookstores and fashion boutiques at Passage Choiseul, Indian restaurants and spice shops at Passage Brady, fabric vendors at Passage du Caire with Egyptian motifs. Galerie Colbert now houses two art research institutes. These galleries offer insights into a lesser-known part of 19th-century Paris commerce, preserving wooden facades, wrought iron railings, and period signage.
Modern architecture in Paris includes the Grande Arche in La Défense, the Fondation Louis Vuitton by Frank Gehry, and the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand with its four towers. These structures exist alongside repurposed historical buildings like La Samaritaine, Bercy Village, and Halle Pajol.
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